Antenna structure



y 7, 1956 F. J. KLANCNIK, JR

ANTENNA STRUCTURE Filed Dec. 31, 1953 ANTENNA STRUCTURE Frank J. Klancnik, Jr., Chicago, Ill., assignor to Hi-Lo V Antenna 'Corp., Chicago, 11]., a corporation of v linois Application December 31, 1953, Serial No. 401,522

14 Claims. (Cl. 343-802) The present invention relates in general to radio wave antenna systems, and has more particular reference to an improved antenna structure especially well suited for use in conjunction with television signal receiving apparatus.

An important object of the invention is to provide an antenna structure of the character mentioned having readily adjustable means for precisely tuning the structure for the reception at optimum efficiency of a radio wave of selected frequency within the wave receiving range of the structure; a further object being to provide a small compact antenna structure of readily portable character, well adapted for indoor use in position supportedas on top of the housing of a conventional television receiving set or in other suitable or convenient location.

Another important object is to provide an antenna structure adapted for the effective reception of radio waves within the very high as Well as in the ultra-high frequency wave ranges currently employed for television broadcasting purposes, including adjustable means forming a part of the antenna structure whereby the same may be tuned to permit the reception at optimum efiiciency of a wave of selected frequency.

Another object is to provide an antenna structure em bodying a rod or pole element suitably supported in position to intercept a wave to be received and a tuning member adjustable longitudinally of the rod for antenna tuning purposes; a further object being to form said tuning member as a closed loop inductively coupled with the rod.

Another important object is to provide a radio wave antenna comprising a suitably supported rod or pole, a tuning member comprising a coil of wire inductively coupled with the rod and mounted thereon for longitudinal adjusting movement; a ftu'ther object being to electrically insulate the coil of wire from the rod on which it is mounted.

Another object is to employ rod-like means of ap propriate length as a principal antenna component responsive to signal waves of frequency within a primary range determined by the length of the rod-like means and to provide an auxiliary component comprising electrical conducting means forming a cage surrounding, electrically insulated from and inductively coupled with said rodlike means, whereby to condition the principal component, by virtue of its inductive relationship with the auxiliary component, for elfective response to signal waves of frequency within a different range, Without materially affecting the response of said principal component to waves within the primary range, in combination with adjustable means for tuning the principal component for optimum response to a signal wave of specific frequency within said ranges, without materially affecting the response of the antenna structure to waves of other frequency within said ranges.

Another object is to provide a dipole antenna structure comprising, a pair of alined rods supported on and extending oppositely from a suitable mounting, in combi- 2,755,466 Patented July 17, 1956 nation with tuning means for each pole comprising coil elements each inductively coupled with a corresponding rod and shiftable longitudinally thereof; a further object being to employ rods of electrical conducting material secured in sockets formed in a mounting comprising insulating material; a still further object being to provide for electrically connecting the rods each with a corresponding lead wire merely by applying the lead wires in the sockets through lateral openings therein and mounting the rods axially into the sockets.

Another important object is to provide an antenna structure having resonant component means precisely sized to resonate in response to a radio wave of selected frequency disposed substantially medially within the ultra-high frequency television transmitting wave band, and a modifying component inductively coupled with said resonant means to make the same sensitively responsive to a radio Wave of different frequency disposed medially within the very high frequency transmission band, whereby said structure may acceptably receive signal waves of any frequency within both of said very high and ultra-high frequency transmission bands, the present invention furthermore providing auxiliary antenna tuning components adjustably disposed in the antenna structure and adapted to precisely tune the same to resonate at any desired frequency, within the operating range of the antenna structure, whereby to provide for the reception, at optimum efiiciency, of radio waves having said frequency.

Among the numerous other objects of the invention is to provide an improved multiple component antenna structure embodying components of relatively simple form and a minimal number of parts adapted for low cost manufacture and assembly. I

The foregoing and numerous other important objects, advantages and inherent functions of the invention will become apparent as the same is more fully understood from the following description, which, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. l is a perspective view of an antenna structure embodying the present invention; I

' Figs. 2-5, inclusive, are sectional views respectively taken substantially along the lines 2-2, 3-3, 4-4 and 5-5 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 6-6 in Fig. 5; j

Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing a modified arrangement of a portion of the structure shown in Fig. 1; I

Fig. 8 is a sectional view along the line 8-8 in Fig. 7; and V "Fig. 9 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 8 showing a modified arrangement of the parts. j g

To illustrate the invention the drawings show a radio: wave antenna structure 11 comprising rod-like means forming a principal antenna component 12 and an aux iliary component 13. The principal component may comprise a pair of rods or poles 14 disposed in coaxial alinement, a suitable mounting 15 being provided for supporting the rods preferably as a dipole antenna structure. 7 To this end, the mounting 15 may conveniently comprise a generally cylindrical block of insulating material having mounting pockets 16 opening at the opposite ends of the block in position to snugly receive and support the adjacent ends of the rods 14. g

The present invention contemplates simplified means for electrically connecting the supported ends of the rods 14 each with a corresponding preferably stranded copper wire lead conductor element 17 whereby the antenna structure may be connected with apparatus such as a radio or television receiver with which it is adapted to be used.

' To this end the mounting 15 may be provided withducts 18 each extending radially ot' a corresponding socket 16 through the walls thereof. The ends of the rods 14 may be beveled as at 19. By inserting the conductor elements 17 in the ducts 18 with the bared ends 17 of the conductors extending within the sockets 16 and by then applying the beveled ends 19 of the rods 14 axially into the sockets, said beveled ends of the rods may be caused to wedgingly engage and squeeze the bared ends 17 of the lead conductor elements against the inner walls of the sockets 16, adjacent the ducts 18. The ducts 18 are both preferably sized to snugly receive the insulating sheath commonly provided around lead conductor elements. The sockets 16 also are both sized to provide a snug slip fit with the rods 14 so that when the same are applied each in its corresponding socket, each rod will not only make electri cal connection with the end 17 of its corresponding conductor, but will wedgingly secure itself and its said corresponding conductor firmly in the socket of the mounting in which it is assembled.

It should be understood that, for optimum wave receiving efficiency, an antenna structure should be accurately sized in accordance with the wave length of the wave to be received. In providing a structure of standardized character for distribution as a packaged commodity, it is, of course, desirable to size the structural components to afford acceptable wave reception at all frequencies within the wave length range for which the antenna structure is to be used. Accordingly, the di mensions of the antenna components should be so selected as to cause the structure to resonate normally at a frequency medially between the upper and lower frequency limits of the range within which the antenna structure is to be used.

Where the antenna is to be used for the reception of signal waves having frequency within the very high and ultra-high wave frequency range in which television broadcasting is currently accomplished, the rods 14 may comprise metal tubes cut to precisely calculated length and having wall thickness of the order of inch and overall diameter of the order of inch. The mounting 15 also may be formed so that the inner ends of the rods, when assembled on the mounting, will be spaced apart a predetermined distance such that the overall length of the assembled dipole structure may be equal to one-half of the wave length of a signal wave having frequency medially of the upper and lower limits of one of the wave bands in which the antenna structure is designed for operation. The dipole component 12 may thus be sized for response to signal waves in the ultra-high frequency wave band.

The auxiliary component 13 comprises a cage of electrical conducting material supported in position insulated from and surrounding the principal component 12. As shown, the auxiliary component may conveniently comprise a length of wire 20 coiled helically to form a cage element supported in position concentrically surrounding the axially alined rods 14 of the principal component, the

coiled wire element being supported at its opposite ends upon the outer ends of the rods 14. This may be accom' plished by providing cap plugs 21 of insulating material at the outwardly extending ends of the rods 14, said plugs being formed each with an axial cavity 22 for interfittingly receiving an inturned finger 23 of the cage member 20, there being a finger 23 formed at each of the opposite ends of said cage member. The cage member forming the auxiliary component 13 may thus be mounted on and insulated from the rods 14 of the principal dipole component in position concentrically enclosing and inductively coupled with said rods.

The auxiliary component 13 may be accurately sized during fabrication thereof, as by regulating the length of its constituent conductor wire 20 in order to render the same responsive to radio waves in a frequency range different from that of waves to which the principal dipole component is primarily responsive. Where the dipole component is sized for primary response to waves in the be sized for response to waves in the very high frequency wave band, the frequency range of which is substantially below that of the ultra-high frequency band. Energy in the ultra-high frequency wave band received directly on the dipole component 12 may be transferred thence to the connected apparatus through the conductors 17. Energy derived from a signal wave of relatively lower frequency in the very high frequency wave band may be received upon the auxiliary component 13 and reflected thence by induction upon the principal component 12, and transferred thence through the conductors 17 to the antenna conected equipment. The antenna structure of the present invention is thus highly responsive to radio waves throughout a relatively wide frequency range as for instance waves lying within the very high frequency and ultra-high frequency TV broadcasting ranges.

The present invention, moreover, contemplates simplified and inexpensive means whereby the structure may be accurately tuned for the reception at optimum efficiency of a signal wave having specific frequency within the frequency ranges for which the antenna structure is designed. To this end an adjustable tuning element 24 may be provided for each of the rods 14, each of said tuning elements comprising coiled conductor means inductively coupled with and adjustable along a coresponding rod 14.

As shown, each tuning element may conveniently comprise a length of conductor wire 25 having looped medial portions 25. The looped portions 25 may comprise a single turn; or the tuning element may be formed to provide any desired number of turns or coils in series. Any suitable, preferred or convenient means may be provided for mounting the coiled wire elements 25 for adjusting movement longitudinally of rods 14, with the looped portions 25' in position encircling and inductively coupled with the rods. To this end, as shown more especially in Figs. 1, 5 and 6 of the drawings, each element 25 may be mounted upon a corresponding support sleeve 26 sized to slidingly receive a rod 14 for adjustment longitudinally thereof. Each sleeve 26 may be formed with a peripheral groove 27, medially of its opposite ends, and defining an outstanding flange 28, at an end of the sleeve, on one side of the groove. The flange 28 may be formed with a pair of channels 29 therethrough, said channels being sized to snugly receive the opposite ends of the element 25 with the terminal extremities of said ends extending in the groove 27. By swaging said terminal extremities in the groove, as at 30, the element 25 may be firmly and rigidly anchored to and supported on the sleeve member 26 in position disposing the loop portions 25' substantially concentrically about the rod 14 upon which the sleeve 21 is mounted. A set screw 31 mounted in the flange 28 in position to bear upon the rod 14 within the sleeve member 26 may be provided for anchoring the sleeve member in any desired position of adjustment longitudinally of the rod.

The rods 14, wire elements 25 and mounting sleeves 26 may be fabricated of any preferred electrical conducting material, aluminum being especially suitable for the purpose.

The opposite ends of the coiled wire element may be electrically interconnected, if desired, or they may be electrically separated and insulated the one from the other. Either or both of said ends, also, may be electrically connected with a rod 14, if desired, or both of said ends may be insulated from the rod. If both of said ends be electrically connected to the rod, the connection should be accomplished at a common locus on the rod, to avoid electrical connection of the opposed ends of the element with longitudinally spaced portions of the rod. In order to relatively insulate the rod and tuning components, the same may be anodized to apply an electrical insulating coating upon the surfaces of the rods 14, the coil elements 25 and the sleeves 26. The anodized insulating coatings thus applied on the opposite ends of the wire elements 25 and on the mounting sleeves 26 including the surfaces of the channels 29 will electrically insulate the wire elements from their supporting sleeves. The sleeves 26 and the rods will likewise be mutually insulated by the anodized coatings on the rods and upon the interior surfaces of the sleeves.

To electrically interconnect the components, it is of course merely necessary to omit or remove the insulating coating between die parts to be connected. Either or both ends of the element 25 may be electrically connected with the rod 12 by omitting the insulating coatings on the rod and sleeve and from such of the channel mounted ends of the element 25 as are to be electrically connected with the rod through the sleeve. It will be seen also that the opposite ends of each element 25, when arranged to electrically connect with a rod 14, will do so through the common sleeve 26. Consequently the opposite ends of the member 25 will not be electrically connected with the rod at longitudinally spaced locations therein.

As shown more particularly .in Figs. 7, 8 and 9, the looped medial portions 25 of the conductor wire which forms the tuning element 24 may comprise several turns sized to snugly encircle the rod 14 upon which the tuning element is adjustably mounted, the length of wire 25 including integral end portions comprising fingers 32 con-. neeted to the opposite ends of the looped medial portions 25 and extending outwardly of said portions alongside of the rod 14. The fingers 32 are preferably disposed on diametrically opposite sides of the rod 14 and diverge therefrom. Any suitable, preferred or convenient means may be provided for mounting the looped portions 25 of the embodiments shown in Figs. 7, 8 and 9 for adjustable movement longitudinally of the rod 14, with the looped portions 25' in position encircling and inductively coupled with the rod. As shown in Figs. 7 and 8, the portions 25 may be wrapped snugly upon and about a cylindrical layer of electrical insulating material forming a mounting sleeve 26 sized to snugly receive the rod 14 therethrough. The sleeve 26' and the wire tuning element mounted thereon will normally hold itself in adjusted position on the rod 14; but the same may be shifted longitudinally of the rod, at will, for antenna tuning purposes.

As shown more especially in Fig. 9 of the drawings, the mounting sleeve 26' of insulating material may be formed with an outwardly opening helical groove 33 defining a channel in which the coiled portions 25 of the tuning element may be windingly disposed. On one side thereof the sleeve may be formed with a short longitudinally extending groove 34 connecting one end of the helical groove 33 with an end face of the mounting sleeve. The mounting sleeve 26 may be formed with another longitudinally extending groove 35 circumferentially spaced on the sleeve from the groove 34, the grooves 34 and 35 being preferably disposed on diametrically opposite sides of the sleeve 26. The groove 35 may extend from one end of the sleeve to the other and may intersect each turn of the helical groove 33. Accordingly the finger forming opposite end portions of the wire element 25 may be formed, immediately adjacent the coiled portions 25, to fit within the grooves 34 and 35 so that the fingers 32 may project each outwardly of an end of the sleeve 26' in a direction alongside and spaced outwardly of the rod 14, said fingers 32 diverging outwardly of the rod away from the sleeve 26. An adjustable set screw 36 may be provided in the sleeve 26 in position to bear upon the rod 14 for anchoring the sleeve member in any desired position of adjustment longitudinally of the rod.

In order to support the antenna structure 11 in position for operation, the mounting 15 may be provided medially with a laterally opening socket 37 having an axis extending preferably in the plane of and normal to the alined axes of the rod sockets 16. This socket 32 may serve to removably receive a suitable upright support member 38, whereby to detachably support the antenna structure 11 upon the member 38. The support member 38, for

manufacturing expediency, may comprise a tube of material identical to that employed in forming the dipole rods 14. Any suitable or preferred means may be employed for mounting or supporting the member 38. .As shown, an end of the member may be removably secured in a socketed pedestal 39, so that the entire structure may be mounted on a suitable support, such as a table, or on the top of the housing of a television receiver. When so placed, the antenna structure may be directionally ad-.

justed with ease, merely by turning the same about the axis of the upright support member 38.

The member 15 may also be formed to provide support.

seat 43 for receiving and supporting the medial portions of the cage element 20, may be removably secured on the member 15 in the socket 41.

It is thought that the invention and its numerous attendant advantages will be fully understood from the foregoing dscription, and it is obvious that numerous changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the several parts without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention, or sacrificing any of its attendant advantages, the form herein disclosed being a preferred.

embodiment for the purpose of illustrating the invention.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

1. Antenna structure embodying a rod forming a prin-.

cipal antenna component, an auxiliary antenna component inductively coupled with said principal component, and a tuning element supported on and movable longitudinally of said rod, said element embodying a coil portion inductively coupled with said rod.

2. Antenna structure embodying a rod forming a principal antenna component, an auxiliary antenna component inductively coupled with said principal component, and a tuning element comprising a length of wire having medial portions coiled about and inductively coupled with said rod, said wire having end portions slidingly supported on said rod.

3. Antenna structure embodying a rod forming a principal antenna component, an auxiliary antenna component inductively coupled with said principal component, and a tuning element comprising a length of wire having medial portions coiled about and inductively coupled with said rod, said wire having end portions slidingly supported on said rod and electrically insulated therefrom.

4. Antenna structure embodying a rod forming a principal antenna component, an auxiliary antenna component inductively coupled with said principal component, and a tuning element comprising a length of wire having medial portions coiled about and inductively coupled with said rod, said wire having end portions slidingly supported on said rod, said tuning element and rod being anodized to electrically insulate the same.

5. Antenna structure embodying a rod forming a principal antenna component, an auxiliary antenna component inductively coupled with said principal component, and a tuning element comprising a length of wire having medial portions coiled about and inductively coupled with said rod and electrically interconnected end portions slidingly supported on said rod.

6. Antenna structure embodying a rod forming a principal antenna component, an auxiliary antenna component inductively coupled with said principal component, and a tuning element comprising a length of wire having medial portions coiled about and inductively coupled with said rod, said wire having end portions slidingly supported on said rod, at least one of said end portions being elec' trically connected with said rod.

7. Antenna structure embodying a rod forming a principal antenna component, an auxiliary antenna component inductively coupled with said principal component, and a tuning element comprising a length of wire having medial portions coiled about and inductively coupled with said rod, said wire having end portions slidingly supported on and electrically connected with said rod.

8. Antenna structure embodying a rod forming a principal antenna component, an auxiliary antenna component inductively coupled with said principal component, and a tuning element adjustable along said rod and comprising a length of wire having medial portions coiled about and inductively coupled with said rod and with said auxiliary component.

9. Antenna structure embodying a rod forming a principal antenna component, an auxiliary antenna component inductively coupled with said principal component, and a tuning element comprising a length of wire having medial portions coiled about and inductively coupled with said rod and also comprising a mounting sleeve supported for sliding movement longitudinally of the rod, said length of wire having opposed ends anchored upon said sleeve.

10. Antenna structure embodying a rod forming a principal antenna component, an auxiliary antenna component inductively coupled with said principal component, and a tuning element comprising a length of wire having medial portions coiled about and inductively coupled with said rod and also comprising a mounting sleeve supported for sliding movement longitudinally of the rod, said length of wire having opposed ends anchored upon said sleeve and insulated therefrom.

ll. Antenna structure embodying a rod forming a principal antenna component, an auxiliary antenna component inductively coupled with said principal component, and a tuning element comprising a length of Wire having medial portions coiled about and inductively coupled with said rod and also comprising a mounting sleeve supported for sliding movement longitudinally of the rod, said length of wire having opposed ends anchored upon said sleeve, and

means for securing the sleeve in longitudinally adjusted 4 position on said rod.

12. Antenna structure embodying a rod forming a principal antenna component, an auxiliary antenna component inductively coupled with said principal component, and a tuning element comprising. a length of wire having medial portions coiled about and inductively coupled with said rod and also comprising a mounting sleeve supported for sliding movement longitudinally of the rod, said length of Wire having opposed ends anchored upon said sleeve, at least one of said ends being electrically connected with the sleeve.

l3. Antenna structure embodying a rod forming a principal antenna component, an auxiliary antenna component inductively coupled with said principal component, and a tuning element comprising a length of wire having medial portions coiled about and inductively coupled with said rod and a mounting sleeve supported for sliding movement longitudinally of the rod, said length of Wire having an end anchored upon said sleeve, said sleeve having a flange formed with a duct therethrough sized to snugly receive the end of said length of wire and means to secure said end ofthe wire length in said duct.

14. Antenna structure embodying a rod forming a principal antenna component, an auxiliary antenna component inductively coupled with said principal component, and a tuning element comprising a length of Wire having medial portions coiled about and inductively coupled with said References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,636,986 Riderman Apr. 28, 1953 12,650,983 Ehrbar et al Sept. 1, 1953 2,657,311 Kleis Oct. 27, 1953 

